Onikira: Demon Killer

The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its smooth mechanics and engaging combat reminiscent of titles like "Devil May Cry" and "Bayonetta," while others criticize it for being repetitive, clunky, and plagued by technical issues such as bugs and crashes. Despite its potential and unique art style, many feel that the overall execution falls short, making it difficult to recommend over other indie titles. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, the gameplay experience is marred by inconsistencies and a lack of polish.

The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its fitting and energetic qualities that enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it repetitive and uninspiring. Many appreciate the sound effects and the overall audio presentation, though some express a desire for more memorable tracks and voice-overs. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as functional but not particularly standout, with a few noting its appeal to fans of Japanese cinema.

The story of the game is generally viewed as clichéd and lacking depth, often described as a typical "feudal Japan fantasy" involving demons and a hero's journey. While some players appreciate the intriguing premise and presentation, many criticize the storytelling for being short, poorly paced, and unengaging, leading to a lack of investment in the plot. Overall, the narrative is seen as a missed opportunity that detracts from the game's potential, despite its appealing visuals and gameplay.

The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting persistent glitches, crashes, and issues with achievement unlocks. While some users note improvements since its initial release, many still describe it as feeling unfinished and buggy, leading to frustration and diminished enjoyment. Overall, the game is perceived as being in a problematic state, with calls for caution before purchasing.

The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting choppy framerates, significant stuttering, and poorly designed checkpoints that contribute to frustration. Many users note that even on moderate hardware, performance issues persist, particularly due to excessive atmospheric effects. While the game has enjoyable elements, its technical shortcomings hinder the overall experience.

The game's atmosphere is praised for its rich visual glory and authentic Japanese aesthetic, evoking an anime-like feeling reminiscent of Afro Samurai. However, some players note that the atmospheric effects can be overdone, leading to performance issues such as stuttering, even on lower-end PCs.

The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a mix of humor and frustration, as users find a heartwarming irony in the program's crash messages. Additionally, the challenges in Arena evoke a sense of achievement and satisfaction as players strive to improve their skills.

The game has a solid replayability score of 7.5, indicating that players find it enjoyable enough to return to multiple times. This suggests a good balance of content and variety that encourages repeated playthroughs.

The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing contrast between its gameplay and the starting screen, where players can practice their moves, creating a surprisingly entertaining experience right from the outset.